Trending
EAST LIVERPOOL -- East Liverpool has received funding for a mural on a Fifth Street building.
Mayor Bobby Smith told city council members Monday the city has been awarded a mural grant through the efforts of Lisa Painter, deputy director of LeapHub. The mural will be painted on the building that will be occupied by Goodwill.
Smith said Westgate students will design the mural showing the history of East Liverpool.
Smith also provided an update on how the $100,000 donated to the city by a former resident is being used, saying that he handed out the 57th check that went to the East Liverpool Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for $3,000 for the purchase of a pepper ball gun for the police department.
"The FOP came to me and asked me if I would do that, so, that is certainly a good cause," Smith said. "That's 57 different entities that have gotten about $85,000 (so far) and I have about $15,000 of that left."
Smith noted that Suitable Collections, a new suit and bridal shop, had a grand opening on Saturday.
Smith also told council that Lena's Lounge has been shut down by the state.
In other business, Fire Chief Antony Cumo told council members the fire department had received a grant for $170,425, of which $120,000 will be used for a new pickup truck for the hazmat and the remaining to purchase hazmat suits and equipment for the hazmat command unit. The grant pays 100% of the cost, meaning the city will not have to pay anything toward it.
The fire department also received a grant from Ohio EMS for $3,600 to purchase EMS equipment.
The fire department saw its second busiest month of the year so far with 228 calls in July.
Cumo also noted that an inspection of Garden Apartments at 707 St. Clair Ave. was executed after a search warrant was issued. Multiple violations were found. The owners were served a citation for the violations.
Council Member and Safety/Rules Committee Chair Debra Danver in her report updated council on the recent city vehicle accident which left an officer off work for five days with minor injuries. She said the 2019 police cruiser involved is expected to be a total loss.
She also provided an update on the recent spill at Arcwood Environmental. She said the spill was the result of a loose valve cap on tanker moving from a holding area to the burn area. She noted a very limited amount of less than one gallon of the chemical entered the storm sewer and was contained.
Danver also said the committee questioned the zoning for the holding area and the East Liverpool Fire Department who responded to the spill will be invoicing Arcwood Environmental for their response. She further noted that the incident highlighted the need for further review of safety for transporting the chemicals through the city and the high importance of a hazmat building in the East End.
Council members approved a legislation for the Police Department to purchase new police body cameras and accessories from Brite for an amount up to $77,710. Council had previously approved the ordinance which has been revoked by the new ordinance due to some confusion.
Council Member and Finance/Labor Committee Chair Brian Kerr said he noted that the cameras the officers have can't redact anybody around if there are kids or anybody else in the cameras and the new ordinance fixes that with cameras that can blur them out if needed. Kerr also said that the cameras which are on hold for the police department pending passage of the ordinance will be a great asset for the police department.
In addition to the one for body cameras, council also approved ordinances requiring Knox Box Rapids Entry Systems on certain buildings; authorizing the city auditor to pay certain vendors; amending the budget ordinance by adjusting appropriations and a resolution renaming Council Chambers as the John A. Torma Memorial Council Chambers.
The following committees will hold meetings in August: Refuse & Recycling/Public Utilities/Franchise Committee on Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m.; Safety and Rules Committee on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m.; Licensing and Economic Development Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.; and the Finance and Labor Committee on Aug. 25 at 8:30 a.m.
All meetings will take place in council chambers.
The East Liverpool City Council meets the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in council chambers at East Liverpool City Hall, 126 W 6th St., East Liverpool. Due to the first Monday in September being Labor Day, council will meet on the first Tuesday at 7 p.m.